Apple to Pay $95 Million in Siri Eavesdropping Settlement: How to Claim Your Share
Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging that its voice assistant, Siri, inadvertently recorded users' private conversations without consent. If you owned a Siri-enabled Apple device between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, you might be eligible to file a claim and receive compensation.
Background of the Siri Eavesdropping Allegations
The lawsuit, titled Lopez v. Apple, was initiated
by Fumiko Lopez, a California resident, and other consumers who claimed that
Siri activated unintentionally and recorded confidential conversations. These
recordings were allegedly shared with third parties, leading to targeted
advertisements in Apple's Safari browser and search features. Although Apple
denies any wrongdoing, it has agreed to the settlement to avoid prolonged
litigation.
Eligibility Criteria for the Siri Settlement
To qualify for the settlement:
- You
must have owned or used a Siri-enabled Apple device between September 17,
2014, and December 31, 2024.
- You
must attest that you experienced an unintended Siri activation during a
private or confidential conversation.
- Eligible
devices include:
- iPhone
- iPad
- Apple
Watch
- MacBook
- iMac
- HomePod
- iPod
touch
- Apple
TV
Potential Compensation Amount
The settlement offers up to $20 per eligible device, with
a maximum of five devices per claimant, totaling up to $100. The exact amount
may vary depending on the number of valid claims submitted.
How to File a Siri Settlement Claim
- Check
for Notification: Some consumers received an email or postcard titled
"Lopez Voice Assistant Class Action Settlement," containing a
Claim ID and Confirmation Code.
- Visit
the Settlement Website: Go to the official Lopez Voice Assistant Settlement website.
- Submit
Your Claim:
- If
you have a Claim ID and Confirmation Code, enter them as prompted.
- If
you did not receive a notification, click on "New Claim" and
provide your name, address, and proof of purchase or ownership of the
eligible Apple device(s).
- Choose
Payment Method: Select your preferred payment method—physical check,
e-check, or direct deposit
Deadline: All claims must be submitted by July 2, 2025.
Settlement Approval and Payout Timeline
A final approval hearing is scheduled for August 1, 2025.
If the settlement is approved and no appeals are filed, payments will be
processed promptly thereafter. However, if there are appeals, the distribution
of funds may be delayed.
Apple's Stance on Privacy
Apple maintains that Siri was designed with user privacy
in mind and that any data collected was not used for marketing purposes or sold
to third parties. The company emphasizes that it settled the lawsuit to avoid
additional litigation and to move forward from concerns about third-party
grading that were addressed in 2019.
Key Takeaways
- Settlement
Amount: $95 million
- Eligibility:
Owners or users of Siri-enabled Apple devices between September 17, 2014,
and December 31, 2024
- Compensation:
Up to $20 per device, with a maximum of $100 per claimant
- Claim
Deadline: July 2, 2025
- Final
Approval Hearing: August 1, 2025
Additional Resources
